My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

I have thoroughly enjoyed the My Heart Belongs series. This book was no exception. It was rich in history and the descriptions were vivid, The romance was sweet and heart warming. I loved the characters, especially the red headed heroine. She was quite feisty with her temper and passion. The hero was heroic and tender. This all mixed together and made a page turning book. I highly recommend it

An interesting historical romance full of actual events! Set around Gettysburg, starting in 1860, with characters heavily involved in the Underground Railroad, the story includes events and examines issues leading up to the epic Civil War battle.
The romance is a complex one, with some strong personalities, coming together in surprising ways. Clarissa is a fiery redhead, full of zeal for the antislavery movement, risking her life alongside many others in the Underground Railroad through Pennsylvania. The risks she takes become sacrificial as war looms and then explodes close to home. It took me awhile to get used to her, but eventually came to admire her fearless attitude and service. Prayers and Scripture, as well as hymns and spirituals add some faith and hope to the story.
"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
The author shows his thorough research in the many discussions and events included, plus the cameo appearances of historical figures. The horrors and violence of events are added and described just enough to get a glimpse of how awful it must have been. It is hard to imagine the scope and carnage of war. Some of the dialogue seemed overly dramatized at times, and a bit far fetched. I enjoyed the story more in the last half.

Recommend to readers who enjoy stories based on real history, especially the Civil War, with some faith and clean romance.

I enjoyed watching Miss Clarissa Avery Ross figure out the differences among her three suitors. Even though, as the reader, you're fairly certain about them, it's still fun to watch it all play out. In the same vein as the rest of the books in this series, we tackle serious moral and ethical issues pertaining to the place and historical era, plus there is some romance thrown in. Having recently traveled to Gettysburg with our boys, and gotten an in-depth look at the history through their amazing National Parks / Museums, I found this book to be very historically accurate, too. The author definitely did some research into the minutae of the battle and battlefield life!

Civil War, 1863 history, events, people, that happened during that time. We hear about the Underground Railroad, and in this we meet Clarissa a conductor at night. The description of her, feisty, red haired, and wanting somebody, like Liberty to work along with her. That believe in her cause of what she was doing. The author did a beautiful job, with the romance, along with the details of the history. Making that time period come alive for us, and what people did. Given ARC by Net Galley and Barbour for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

The title of this book does not do it justice. I have read the whole series of “My Heart Belongs In…” They have all been sweet, uplifting stories and I enjoyed each one, but when I got to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania this series went to a whole new level.
I was riveted to this story from page one as the heroine, Clarissa, was introduced. She was spoiled, feisty, opinionated, courageous and enchanting. The rich history of Gettysburg was not sacrificed for the sake of a novel as the characters faced the dangers of secreting people away in the Underground Railroad and later faced the conflict at Gettysburg with its staggering death toll.
As the story closed, the portrayal of time following the battle at Gettysburg was masterfully done.
A quote from the book that sticks with me is, “…God remains in Heaven. The poor choices men make will not force Him out of office.”

Thank you, Murray Pura for a very well written book.

I received an advance copy of this book through Net Galley from Barbour Publishing.

I have been following the "My Heart Belongs" series from it's onset. I doubt that I have missed any of the books, so far. I hope that I am able to read them all.

This one grabbed me right away from page 1. It takes place during the Civil War period. Clarissa is a strong fiery character with red hair to go along with that personality. She is a member of the Underground Railroad, actively helping the slaves. She's pretty amazing.

You can tell that the author was well versed historically and this made the book more interesting to me as I love history. Kind of goes hand in hand with my occupation of genealogist!

The book flowed and read well. Enjoyed it and it keeps me wanting to read more of this heartwarming series!

I received an ebook copy of this book from NetGalley for my review. I received no monetary compensation. All thoughts are my own.

Worth the read for the accurate portrayal of that time period. That was more interesting than the romance. The heroine was determined, yet somewhat sacrificial at times and the hero was well written. I would recommend this book to read just for the historical events and places. Well researched. It should be taught in public schools for the value of the history lesson. The author brings it to life very well.

I was given this book through netgalley from the publisher for my voluntary review.

I would recommend this book to anyone.

My Heart Belongs in Gettsbury, Pennsylvania tells the story of a young lady who works as a conductor for the Underground Railroad. Her hometown is Gettsburg and while much of the story takes place there, the story also follows some of her adventures while helping slaves escape to the north. Romance, confusion, excitement, and Civil War battles are included in this historical romantic adventure. Great book! Started out a bit slow & seemingly predictable, but quickly became anything BUT slow and predictable. There are enough twists and turns in this story to hold your attention to the very last page. Well worth reading!

My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
By Murray Pura
Clarissa Avery Ross lives passionately for the cause of freedom. She bravely sneaks away to be an underground railroad conductor in Gettysburg, PA. Along the way she becomes intertwined with two men who steal parts of her heart. Fate has a hand though in revealing who she loves and when she discovers for herself who it is she is very surprised. Although this sounds like the end of a wonderful love story the battle of Gettysburg brings its self to her doorsteps.
This lovely story is an adventure for sure. I am from Lancaster county, PA and reading about such a familiar place and significant part of history was so much fun. I admired the characters and enjoyed the unexpected of this tale. If you enjoy historical romance this is certainly a book to read.

I just finished My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania By Murray Pura. This book held my attention from the beginning to the end. I was fascinated with the events in Gettysburg during the Civil War. The characters were equally fascinating and I caught myself thinking about this book long after I put it down. If you are looking for a good historical fiction book, I highly recommend this one.

I was blessed to receive an electronic copy via netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the My Heart Belongs series. This rendition by Murray Pura was extra special for me. I have read several books about the Underground Railroad and I am fascinated by them. I only wish I could be as brave as Clarissa, the heroine in this story. Mr. Pura did such an excellent job on his historical research.

The story contained a lot of death and dying. I believe Mr. Pura did an excellent job of covering such a hard subject. This story is about the Civil War. There were estimated to be 750,000 soldiers who died in this, the bloodiest and most devastating conflict in American history. Half of those dying off the battlefield from disease or festering wounds. Many losing one of more limbs.

I loved the sweet, faith based thread throughout the story. I found his writing to keep my interest from the first page. He created such strong likable characters.

Here is a couple of my favorite quotes from Murray, “I don't want an angel in heaven. I want the man. I want the man I love. I want him real and I want him here. Oh, my treasure, I love thee with every ounce of blood in my heart and every light of spirit in my soul. Without you I cannot live. With you I can never die.”

Mura was able to bring light in the darkness, fun and laughter, even in times of trouble.

“You ride like a demon,” the captain said to her. “I wish we had time for horse races. I'd bet money on you.” She saluted. “Yes, sir. Thank you sir.” Her mouth was full of tobacco juice, but she wasn't going to spit with him there. “Do you fight like a demon too, Corporal?” She grinned, knowing full well the effect was gruesome, for in addition to a muddy, lacerated face and her matted hair, stiff with dried blood, she was confident half her teeth were black with tobacco stains. The way the captain practically winced when she bared her teeth confirmed this opinion.”

I received a copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalleys. The opinions expressed in this book are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! After a slow beginning, the plot picked up dramatically and I was hooked. The author, Murray Pura has done a good job at describing the scenery and characters.

The book centers around Clarissa Ross, a young woman doing her part to end slavery. She takes runaways through her town on the Underground Railroad and passes them off to the Amish. Along the way she meets Liberty, a respected conductor on the Underground Railroad and highly praised by Harriet Tubman, herself. The two don't hit it off very well, and their working relationship seems to come to an end. Or is it?

I love historical fiction, and this one should definitely be on your reading list!

The setting in My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was descriptive in such a way that I, although having never been there myself, was easily transported to Gettysburg and back in time to the events that took place in this book. I avoided history in school yet I was so drawn into this book and interested in the Civil War that I found myself researching it on the internet. The characters are very well developed. You truly feel like you know them. I got drawn into this book and did not want to put it down. For me it was a nonstop page turner. I eagerly look forward to more books from this author.

Pura creates a sweet romance that portrays the struggles women must face back in the 1800's. Our main characters will struggle to overcome the obstacles put in their way, not only from their families but from society as well. With well written characters and descriptive scenes, the readers will get a clear mental picture as well as emotions.

It is 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. In the eyes of the community, Clarissa Avery Ross is the daughter of a respectable shoemaker being courted by Kyle Forrester, a man following God. But when no one else is looking, she is a conductor on the Underground Railroad, working with someone named Liberty. She desperately wants to tell Kyle about what she does but has doubts about where God is leading her.

This is the first book I have read in the My Heart Belongs series. This book kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next between the two main characters. I really enjoyed the book so much that I started looking into reading more of the Underground Railroad and Gettysburg (I was never a fan of history back in the school days). Even though it was fiction, I was checking the internet for more information on the real history of the Underground Railroad, Gettysburg and the Civil War. The author did an excellent job on researching for this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading a good historical romance, you won’t be disappointed.
I received an ebook copy of this book through Net Galley from Barbour Publishing. This is my honest opinion.

I really enjoy historical fiction and stories about early America and the civil war. This book, My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was a good book with a lot of history woven in and I did like it. It was a little hard for me to read in some areas because the language was more Old English style, but other than that it was a good story. I enjoyed Clarissa, the fiery red headed heroine who knows what she wants and goes after it. I also enjoyed meeting Kyle Forrester and Liberty, the two men that have confused Clarissa and made her wonder what she wants in life and relationships. The story takes you through the Underground Railroad and right into the Battle Of Gettysburg, where you meet brave soldiers and learn about the battle. For people who enjoy history, this story will be a good one!
I received a free copy of this story for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I believe My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: Clarissa’s Conflict is my favorite that I have read from the My Heart Belongs in series. It has everything that I love to read most – history, strong heroine, action, romance, adventure and faith. I had no problem what so ever to keep turning the pages to see what would happen next.
I give My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: Clarissa’s Conflict a well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it!
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

This book is one of a kind! I really enjoyed reading about the Revolutionary War from a woman's perspective, and not your average woman, at that! Clarissa truly is a spitfire and in a league of her own. She's portrayed as a redheaded sass who won't be told by ANYONE what to do. She comes go her own conclusions and sticks to her guns, her beliefs, and her faith.
Mystery and intrigue run rampant in this story with one situation after another taking the characters through a myriad of experiences. I loved the writing style and the descriptions of the situation the characters were facing as well as the environment they found themselves moving through.
These things brought my rating from a 3 to a 4. The female protagonist was enough to drive me crazy. Her attitude and responses were unruly and ill mannered at best. Remember, she's not a 15 or 16 year old going through puberty but a 19 year old who should know better.
Some triggers for me were the excessive descriptions of kissing scenes and maybe even the allusion of premarital sex. Overall, though, the book had me hooked and it never showed down. One thing after another continued to take the characters down different avenues, and because the female protagonist was willing to risk her life for the greater good, the reader is able to be a party to it. And for that, I'm thankful for her personality traits, good and bad.

The book My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania starts with a young girl named Clarissa Avery who is leading slaves to freedom as part of the Underground Railroad. The beginning paragraphs hooked me into a story that told of the Civil War and how it affected families, soldiers and people searching for freedom. Of course there is romance and a wedding to round things out. The author, Murray Pura, has done his research as he includes plenty of Civil War research adding color and history to his book.

Recommend.

Book review written after downloading a galley from NetGalley.

Honestly, I was surprised by this My Heart Belongs Book. It has much more drama and gritty details than the others in the series. I really enjoyed all the historical details, it is obvious Mr. Pura has done excellent research.
The story was riveting! I had a hard time putting it down.

This book is part of the “My Heart Belongs” series. Although this book does have a sweet romance as part of the story, it could stand alone very well on its own as a Christian historical novel. This book has an absorbing storyline. The author has done an excellent job of presenting Gettysburg as a town that was well loved by its citizens before it was changed forever after the major battle took place there. The battlefield scenes were moving and showed compassion for those on both sides of the conflict.

The characters of Clarissa and Iain are some of my favorites in this series. Clarissa is everything you want in a heroine: Feisty, beautiful, compassionate, and brave. Iain is a strong and honorable man. The scenes in which they are working together to help the Underground Railroad are some of the best in the book. Glad I read this one and will probably read it again.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

An amazing addition to My Heart Belongs series. Clarissa Avery Ross love her town and all people. She has a passion to help free slaves and at first is more than ready for the war that is soon to come. She struggles to grasp who is more dear to her between 2 men she is drawn to. This book covers the whole of the civil war, with lots of action due to that and much determination on the part of Clarissa. A book you won’t want to put down, that will grab hold fast and not let go.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided courtesy of Barbour Publishing. A review was not required and all thoughts are my own.

I enjoyed this read, but I figured it out early in the book, but wanted to know how everything unfolded.
The author has us riding into the full battle of the civil war, and seeing such horrors, with the solace that we know how things ended, but what a high cost.
This story does have a bit of everything, including the War, Underground Railroad, church and family, and a bit of sweet romance.
A glimpse into life in the 1860’s in Gettysburg PA, and we are there!

I received this book through Net Galley and Barbour Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.

I read this book because it was about Gettysburg. I have been to the hallowed fields many times and am awed by the beauty and sacredness and the haunting peace I find there. This book has a sweet romance, and a lot of history of the war and the underground railroad. I liked it very much. Thank you netgalley and Bourbor publishing for the arc of this book, the opinion are my own

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the My Heart Belongs series and this one was no exception! I live 40 minutes from Gettysburg and have enjoyed going there many times. We get right into the thick of things with the battle ranging around us. The author's descriptions and research are much appreciated and made me feel as though I was right there with the scrap of a red-headed heroine. She's a brave oneand won't back down from anyone. Mentions of Quakers,Amish,quilts,abolitionist,Underground Railroads and faith fill the book. I love how faith was immersed in the writing. The author really brings this time period to life!
Pub Date 01 Nov 2018
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing, Inc. through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.

Filled with Civil War historical detail that brings the Battle of Gettysburg to life, this My Heart Belongs was another good read in this series. This book had it all: the Underground Railroad, battles leading up to Gettysburg, Gettysburg, and wonderfully realistic characters. Clarissa was an interesting young lady: daring, brave, adventuresome, opinionated, and courageous. Playing a double role as either a man or a cultured young lady came second nature to her. Liberty was a perfect foil to Clarissa and played many roles as well. Overall, a well done read.

I would have given it a 5 but felt that the romance eclipsed the historical at times.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

I have loved the, My Heart Belongs series from the very first book. I think the books have been well written, well researched and I’ve loved the characters. I’m pleased to say that this book definitely met my expectations and is a wonderful addition to this series.

I was pleasantly surprised with Clarissa and her passion for her work with the Underground Railroad. I admired her for her bravery, compassion and her sense of fairness for all of mankind. I have to admit that some things were easy to figure out early on but I liked that she didn’t which added to my enjoyment of the storyline.
There are several things I liked about this book, including the historical war, some Amish characters, a little bit of danger, faith, family and a sweet romance

My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania can be read as a stand alone and I recommend this book to fans of Historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through Netgalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

Many aspects of “My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg” reminded me of “Gone With the Wind,” one of my favorite classics. The Civil War setting drew me in, especially since it was set in such a renowned location. In fact, that was one of the striking parts of the reading experience because most of the action took place prior to the famous Battle of Gettysburg, when the town was just a quaint place that outsiders would never have heard of. The heroine, Clarissa Ross, points this out herself, commenting that she does not want her idyllic town and its environs to be remembered for death and destruction. Given all of the tragic events that have occurred even recently in the U.S., this was a reminder that disasters can happen anywhere, and this is where faith comes in as we trust God that He is ultimately working all things for the good of His children.

Clarissa was a distinctive character, to be sure. In some ways she reminded me of Scarlett O’Hara, with her stubbornness and her temper. An inimitable redhead, Clarissa was very strongminded and outspoken, which I think was due in part to her being an only child and also to her living in the North. Had she been raised in the South, I think that the patriarchal society there would have had a deeper influence on her and she may have been somewhat more submissive. At first I found her character to be off-putting, but I soon grew to admire her and her antics. The romance, which is usually my least favorite part of a story, was very engaging because it was fraught with both danger and surprises. From a historical viewpoint, I was pleased that this novel pointed out that the Civil War was about much more than just the issue of slavery; states’ rights and the economy were at the forefront of the fighting, especially in the beginning. The many different levels of conflict in the book were well balanced by the Christian and romantic aspects, and I only wish that the story had been a bit longer in order to fill out some of the details more fully and allow for the plot to play out more slowly.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Every time I read a book that tries to share with readers the absolutely heartbreaking horrors of Gettysburg I am overwhelmed. Murray Pura takes me on a new road by creating a fictionalized main female character who is a resident of the famous Pennsylvania town itself. He really brought forth just how the civil war changed some towns in the United States forever.
Clarissa is a headstrong, self motivated nineteen year old at the start of the story. She is a secret and very brave conductor in the Underground Railroad group. I'm going to go a bit against popular review opinion here and write that at times the character irritated me. I thought she would draw attention and get someone captured or killed with her argumentative attitude at the worst possible times when journeying with escaped slaves. She was a pain in the neck who was truly being watched over by God. I suppose during the time period a woman would be considered an irritant to accomplish what this character pulled off. I did notice as the plot continued that she matured as she grew older and more experienced in life. She is a strong character as is the men in her life. Kyle Forrester is a seminary student who holds fast to his belief that he can best serve the country by being a strong voice for God and against slavery. Clarissa sets her heart on him while also being drawn to the secretive Underground conductor, Liberty who is a larger than life figure that is brave and strong. The Amish also have a place in this story.
This is such an intense story. Readers experience the horrible days of risking lives to help newly escaped (brave) peoples to reach "heaven" on to the battlefield descriptions which had to be a major research and writing project for the author. The subjects were tastefully handled and the characters are intense as they told the story.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book. These are my own opinions about the story. I certainly want to read more from the author.

Murray Pura continues the My Heart Belongs series, all stand-alone novels, with the story of Clarissa in the mid-180s, during the time period surrounding the Civil War. With tales of the Underground Railroad and the battle of Gettysburg, this novel is full of edge-of-the-seat scenes, courageous and heroic characters, and of course, romance. The author has done a great job of drawing the reader into the characters' lives and emotions, expressing the heartfelt fears and anguish of family and friends at home praying for and awaiting news about their loved ones. And illustrating the battles of a war that ended up on their streets, on their doorsteps and eventually changed everything, churches and schools turned into hospitals, the town reduced to burial plots and memorials and even changing the names of favorite landmarks. The book is rich in great historical detail, danger, battles, love, family, and friends and threaded throughout faith in God who can bring strength and comfort through the difficult times of war. It is another engaging addition to the My Heart Belongs series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Wow. A beautiful love story during a time of underground railroad and the civil war. Intricate and detailed life of a young woman who was a conductor helping slaves and passionate about life and the war. She reminded me at first a bit like Anne of Green Gables, with her red hair and high spirit. She is a deeply feeling girl. Finding the love of her life was not a simple thing, but deeply romantic. Much of the dialogue was deeply romantic, read like the thoughts of a poet. All that you could want in a historical romance that also gives life to the small town of Gettysburg and also the highly important battle that took place there.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Barbour Publishing, Inc and the Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Let me first say that I am in love with the My Heart Belongs series. I’ve read three so far and I recommend them all! I finished this book at midnight, because I didn’t want to stop until I reached the end.
One of the newest additions, MHB in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, tells us the story of Clarissa Avery Ross, an only child, who spends her days as a civilized lady and her nights conducting a train for the Underground Railroad. She’s a wild and carefree redhead who is stubborn and just a little bit confrontational. The actual battle of Gettysburg doesn’t take place until near the end of the book, most of the book centers around the Underground Railroad and Clarissa’s growing romance with Kyle… and Liberty. Suddenly, she finds herself with feelings for both men for different reasons. This book covers about a two-and-a-half-year period, from the beginning of the Civil War to the mid-point at Gettysburg. Having visited Gettysburg on several occasions, I loved “visiting” the city and the battlefield again through the story. I could easily picture the locations mentioned and felt an instant connection having seen these places for real.
I loved the Clark Kent-Superman thing going on. This book has adventure, danger, disguises, romance, history, and a rich element of faith and the freedom found in Jesus alone. The romantic elements were beautifully written, and the love story developed naturally.
I learned many new things about the Underground Railroad and the Civil War. It was interesting to see the war through the eyes of a Canadian author. I felt that this gave the author a more neutral look at the truth, reasons, and politics behind the war that many may have never known or even considered.
It’s a war book. There’s a bit of blood and death. This is just a note of warning before you start, in case you didn’t think of that. 😊
I give this book a hearty 5 stars. I can’t wait to read more in this series, and more books by this author.

She's a woman who's been working with the Underground Railroad. He's a well known mysterious figure with high authority working on the Underground Railroad too. On a dark night delivering passengers they meet up. She's not happy with his treatment he finds her amusing. Working together becomes more frequent, so they find themselves respecting each other. Will that respect and mutual danger bring them closer together? What happens when she's torn between two men? Which on will she choose?

Clarissa is on a mission for the Underground Railroad when she's attacked by a man wearing a mask. She fights him. When he easily controls her and tells who what's going on she isn't sure if she believes him until slave catchers so up. He's the well known Underground Railroad conductor Liberty. They get the passengers to safety and head home. All the while Clarissa is fuming because of the way she was treated and wonders how he knows her real name. A young seminary student she would like to get know starts to pay her attention. They become friends and a little more, but she keeps her secret. Kyle has had been wanting to get to know Clarissa Meanwhile, she continues her missions and is paired with Liberty quite often. She doesn't want him using her real name. They begin to respect each other. And she starts thinking about Liberty more and more. She makes Kyle make her a promise. A Christmas Eve mission has dire consequences and Clarissa has a bad reaction to some firecrackers. Liberty lets her know that he's kept an eye on her. She tries to find out more about Liberty with little result. She realizes she loves Liberty but she also loves Kyle. War breaks out and they continue. A misunderstanding with Kyle leads Clarissa to make an apology. Clarissa keeps comparing Liberty and Kyle. She starts writing to friends of Kyle's who are going off to fight. When a disturbing letter from one of her new friends has her confronting Kyle and his boss about him joining the military. She thinks he'll make more of a difference by enlisting. Both are against the idea. It leads to a breakup between Clarissa and Kyle. The break up brings her and Liberty closer together. He reveals his real name to her. A mission goes wrong causing Liberty to be severely wounded. Liberty's identity is revealed. Clarissa is confused about all his identities and needs time to bring them together in her mind. After he recovers from his injury he enlists in the Army and proposes before leaving. When war comes to Gettysburg it brings them together again and Clarissa takes on a new identity. A wedding is held. A visit from the President is witnessed.

A glimpse into the life of a Underground Railroad conductor and the pit falls of the Civil War are the back drop for this love story of a woman and a man who must face danger and death and their own feelings to find the love they have for each other. There are surprises along the way and lives must be saved to have the life they want. These characters give you a look into what life might have been like in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania just before, during and after the Civil War.

If there was an award for the most strong willed red head in literature, I'd have to give it to Clarissa Avery Ross. She is quite the character and it took me awhile to get used to her spirited ways. She can be quite dramatic at times. For example, after one of her outspoken redheaded moments gets her in trouble with the church, her mother says she and her husband will have to pray for her even more. Clarissa's quick response is: "Then that is a good thing for you both. I have offered the two of you an opportunity to enjoy a closer walk with God." Besides not being afraid to express her feelings of the injustices of the world in public, Clarissa is also involved with a more secretive endeavor - serving as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. It is here that she meets another Railroad Conductor with the code name "Liberty." Her hot headiness immediately puts Clarissa at odds with him especially when he won't reveal who he really is and why he always hides under a hood. Clarissa also struggles with her feelings for her beau - Kyle Forrester- a local Gettysburg seminary student. Clarissa loves him but is worried about marrying a man who isn't actively showing support for the Union cause by enlisting in the Army and who does not seem to support her involvement in the Underground Railroad. I liked how the author wove in historical details from the Battle of Gettysburg and Underground Railroad into the story. (There's even cameo appearances by Abraham Lincoln and Harriet Tubman.) I could really picture the small town and countryside of Gettysburg in my head. However, the romance part of the novel fell flat for me because it was highly predictable. The dialogue between two of the characters was also annoying and unnatural. In real life, people just don't say the other person's name multiple times in one conversation and then also call them by their first, middle, and last names over and over again. It just got to be too much for me. Despite not being infatuated with the main character or her love life, I still enjoyed reading this book. I finished the whole book in just a few sittings and found it to be fast paced and a fun historical fiction book to read since I like to read books written during this time period. Thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinions of the book.

Beautiful and tender, Gettysburg is a story that I highly recommend with 5 stars. Pura's characters steal your breath and the plot line pulls you in instantly. Wonderful job!

Journey into Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, of 1863 where Clarissa Avery Ross lives a full life. By day she is the daughter of a respectable shoemaker being courted by seminary student Kyle Forrester. But by night she is a conductor on the Underground Railroad, working with a mysterious man called Liberty. She would like to share her work with Kyle, but he refuses to enlist when the war breaks out. How can she remain true to a man being labeled a coward? When the war comes to her back door in an epic battle, the greatest challenges to her faith and love are yet to come.
This was a really good story with good characters. It’s set in a time period I don’t get to read very often, which made it even more enjoyable. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

I sat down this morning with a cup of coffee and intended to start my day with reading a few chapters of My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: Clarrisa’s Conflict by Murray Pura. I was pleasantly surprised to find this story was much more than I had first thought. I found so much great history about the Underground Railroad, the Civil War and Gettysburg woven into a well written romance. I ended up just sitting back and reading the. whole. book!

The story is engaging, evocative and well written with characters that are realistic and believable. The plot had a few unexpected twists that delightfully caught me by surprise. The main thing I enjoyed? Ms. Pura’s story brought a piece of history to life for me; all the good and the bad. I felt I had a brief glimpse into the lives of those who lived in that era and to a small degree, what they may have felt and experienced. I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read more of the My Heart Belongs series. If you enjoy reading well written historical fiction romance ~ this book is for you!


4.5 Stars


I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Mr.. Pura, Barbour Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg Pennsylvania by Murray Pura was an excellent historical read that put me in the place of the Underground Railroad with Harriet Tubman and all. Liberty was an amazing character, as was the main character, Clarissa. I enjoyed the seminary man, Kyle as well. It was an interesting twist of story lines to see where the author was going to take me. I just wanted to keep reading. It’s mysterious; there are feelings of betrayal and intense word pictures of the dangers conductors faced and choices they made while working toward freeing the slaves and the importance of it. A great read!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


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Murray Pura captures the romance of the Civil War. If you love historical romance do not miss this story. Highly recommended.